Tel Aviv [Israel], January 18 (ANI/TPS): For the first time, scientists have identified the specific cells that allow severely damaged tissue to regenerate after widespread destruction, a discovery that could transform approaches to preventing cancer relapse, researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science told The Press Service of Israel.
Their study, recently published in the peer-reviewed Nature Communications, examines a phenomenon known for decades as “compensatory proliferation” — the ability of tissue to regrow after radiation destroys large numbers of cells. First observed in the 1970s in fruit flies, the specific cells responsible and the underlying molecular mechanisms had remained unknown.
Professor Eli Arama, from the Department of Molecular Genetics at the Weizmann Institute and supervisor of the study, said that while the phenomenon itself was long understood, observing it at the cellular level was unprecedented.
“The phenomenon was identified 50 years ago. It was understood that not all cells die after radiation. Some survive, divide, and recreate the tissue. But no one actually saw these cells. We were able to identify them for the first time,” he said.
Using advanced genetic tools and live tracking in fruit fly tissue, the researchers discovered a small population of cells that initiate the early stages of the cellular self-destruct program, known as apoptosis, but then halt before dying. These cells survive radiation, multiply rapidly, and drive the rebuilding of damaged tissue.
“They became visible about 24 hours after radiation, and within the following 24 hours the entire tissue is rebuilt,” Arama explained.
At the heart of the discovery are caspases, enzymes typically known for executing cell death. The study found that in these regeneration-driving cells, caspases are activated but restrained, allowing the cells to survive while signaling neighboring cells to grow. This creates a controlled burst of regeneration rather than uncontrolled proliferation.
This balance is critical and may help explain a troubling pattern seen in cancer treatment. Tumors that recur after radiation therapy are often more aggressive and resistant to further treatment. According to the researchers, the same survival mechanism that enables healthy tissue to regenerate may also be exploited by cancer cells.
“Cancer appears to use a similar mechanism. But now that we understand the mechanism that allows these cells to survive, we may be able to manipulate it so they do not,” Arama said.
According to a statement from the Weizmann Institute, the implications extend beyond basic biology. By selectively blocking survival in cancer cells, scientists hope to improve radiation therapy outcomes.
At the same time, the findings could inform new strategies in regenerative medicine, accelerating healing after injuries or surgery. The research raises the potential for improving recovery from burns, surgical procedures, and organ damage, while enhancing lab-grown tissues and organ transplants.
Moreover, by activating or mimicking these tissue “resurrection” pathways, it may be possible to slow or reverse damage in degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
“That is why understanding this mechanism is so important,” Arama said, “with the hope that in the coming years it can be applied clinically.” (ANI/TPS)
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